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Frequently Asked Questions
Food Handler Training in Illinois
The following answers are based on Public Act 098-0566 and proposed rules that are in the review process. Answers
are subject to change. The Illinois Department of Public Health is responsible for the development, implementation,
and enforcement of the Food Handler Regulation Enforcement Act. This is not an ISBE or USDA mandate.
Who is considered a food handler?
"Food employee" or "food handler" means an individual working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or
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d-contact surfaces. “Food employee” or “food handler” does not include unpaid volunteers in a food establishment,
whether permanent or temporary.
Who is required to have food handler training?
Any food handler working in Illinois, unless that person has a valid Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification
(FSSMC) or unpaid volunteer. If someone working in a facility is not a food handler on a regular basis, but fills in as a
food
handler when needed, they must have food handler training.
Who is NOT required to have food handler training?
Anyone working in a facility who is not a food handler by definition, unpaid volunteers or any food handler who has a
valid Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC). Also, in the proposed rules, temporary food
establishments also will be exempt from the food handler training requirement.
Food Handlers Working in a Non-restaurant
What is a non-restaurant?
Non-restaurants are facilities, such as nursing homes, licensed day care homes and facilities, hospitals, schools, long-
term care facilities and retail food stores.
What is the timeline for implementation?
All food handlers working in non-restaurants shall have training completed by July 1, 2016. Enforcement will be
limited to notification and education from July 1-December 31, 2016.
What type of training is offered for non-restaurants?
Any food handler training course that has been registered and approved by the Department is acceptable for food
handlers in non-restaurants.
How is the training administered?
Training can be on-line, computer, classroom, live trainers, remote trainers and by certified food service sanitation
managers.
Will everyone receiving food handler training receive a certificate?
Not every food handler training course will issue a certificate, but proof of training must be available in the facility
upon inspector request. ISBE will email child nuttion program staff their pass or fail results.